Consider an atom with four electrons in its outer shell. If that atom is covalently bound to three other atoms within a molecule, then it is
A) in a double bond with one atom and in single bonds with two atoms.
B) in a single bond with one atom and in double bonds with two atoms.
C) in a triple bond with one atom and in single bonds with two atoms.
D) in double bonds with all three atoms.
E) in single bonds with all three atoms.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The atom has four electrons in its outer shell and forms three covalent bonds. To satisfy the octet rule, it can form a double bond with one atom (using two electrons) and single bonds with the other two atoms (using one electron each), totaling four electrons used in bonding.

Consider an Atom with Four Electrons in Its Outer Shell